The rainforest had wrapped itself around me in the quiet embrace of night, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and leaves. I could feel the weight of everything—love, friendship, uncertainty—pushing at my chest, but there was peace too. In these moments of calm, I couldn't ignore the sense of finality, a certainty that I would be leaving this place soon.

I sat on the edge of my mat, the moonlight casting gentle silver beams through the thatched roof of our hut. Winter lay beside me, his breathing deep and slow, unaware of my internal struggle. A quiet sadness filled me as I watched his peaceful expression, wondering if he'd ever know how much I truly loved him, or if I could ever return to the life I was leaving behind.

I reached for a piece of scroll, my claws trembling slightly as I began to write. I had no idea what was ahead, but I knew what I needed to say. Carefully, I penned the words, making sure not to disturb Winter, who had grown closer to me over the past few days. Each stroke of my talon was like a farewell, each word a heavy weight in my heart.

"Dearest Jade Winglet: Moon, Winter, Qibli, Turtle, and Kinkajou, I just wanted to say how happy I am to have you as my friends and how much you've made my life better. If you're reading this letter, I'm not here anymore. But don't worry; we will see each other again. And Winter, I love you, I really do. I hope you'll be happy until I come back."

The ink dried quickly, and I folded the scroll gently, placing it beneath my pillow. A lump formed in my throat. I didn't want to leave them—any of them. But it was clear to me now that my visions, my dreams, were pushing me toward something bigger. Darkstalker's voice, the weight of the prophecy, and my own need for closure... it was all leading me somewhere I couldn't quite understand, but I had to go.

I took a deep breath, my wings folding as I sat there in the stillness. I reached out with my magic, letting the gentle flow of energy guide my thoughts. The letter to Darkstalker was next, a quick thought to send it to him at Jade Mountain. I sealed the words with my magic, knowing he would get it even if I wasn't there to explain. Then, without another moment's hesitation, I stood up quietly, glancing back at Winter one last time.

I slipped through the hut's door into the moonlit clearing, the weight of everything I was leaving behind like a shadow. The rainforest stretched out before me, peaceful, bathed in the soft glow of the night. The village was quiet, with only the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional call of a creature.

Tsunami and Clay's hut stood silent behind me, and I made my way toward the clearing, the moon high above, its glow beckoning me like a guiding light. My heart thudded against my chest, but I smiled up at the pale disk in the sky, the one constant in a world full of change.

"Take me home," I whispered to the moon, my voice barely a breath against the cool air.

In that moment, everything faded into glittering gold particles, swirling around me in a cascade of light. The rainforest, the warmth of Winter's presence, the weight of all the promises I had made—all of it dissolved, leaving nothing behind but the shimmer of magic as I vanished into the ether.